Decisions a C-Suite would make for Custom Software & Product Engineering
Vendor comparisons that are honest about where each tool falls short, plus a plan for doing the work yourself. Where we quote a benchmark, we show its source.
15 guides for Custom Software & Product Engineering of 1,000
Financing a Custom Software Shop: SBA Loan or Revenue-Based Capital
Custom software and product engineering firms have lumpy, project-based revenue. Here is how that changes the SBA 7(a) versus revenue-based financing choice.
Ironclad vs LinkSquares for Custom Dev Shops: SOWs and IP Assignment
A breakdown of how Ironclad and LinkSquares handle statements of work, IP assignment, and change orders for custom software and product engineering firms.
Board Software for a Custom Software Shop's Advisory Board
Custom software and product engineering shops rarely answer to a venture board. How to choose between Diligent and BoardPro for an advisory or owner board.
Bizee vs. Doola for a Custom Software Shop: Entity Setup That Fits
Forming an entity for a custom software or product engineering shop: IP assignment from contractors, S-corp timing, and how Bizee and Doola differ.
Vouch vs Embroker for Custom Software and Product Engineering Shops
A step-by-step look at how a custom software or product engineering company should evaluate Vouch and Embroker for tech E&O and cyber coverage.
Mercury vs Relay: Banking for a Custom Software Shop
Custom software and product engineering firms run on milestone billing and contractor networks. Here's how Mercury and Relay handle that differently.
Cap Table Software for Custom Software Shops: Pulley vs Carta
How a custom software and product engineering shop should weigh Pulley against Carta for equity grants, partner buy-ins, and dilution.
Staffing a Client Engineering Team: Deel vs Remote Step by Step
A step-by-step walkthrough for custom software and product engineering firms choosing between Deel and Remote to staff client delivery teams overseas.
PEO Choices for a Custom Software Shop
Why a product engineering and custom software firm should evaluate Justworks and TriNet differently than a SaaS company, with IP and staffing tradeoffs.
Custom Software Shops: Fractional CFO or a Controller First?
For custom software and product engineering firms, when a fractional CFO covers the gap and when the milestone billing and WIP mess needs a controller.
Capital Options for Custom Software Shops When You're Not Venture-Backed
Most custom software shops aren't venture-backed. Here's what venture debt and revenue-based financing actually require, and what fits instead.
Carta vs Forge for a Custom Software Shop's Equity Pool
Custom software and product engineering firms weigh Carta against Forge differently than pure SaaS companies. Here is how the tradeoffs actually play out.
Filling a VP of Engineering Seat at a Dev Shop
A step-by-step look at how a custom software or product engineering company should run its next senior engineering leadership search.
Selling a Custom Software Shop: Acquire.com vs Flippa
Custom software and product engineering firms sell differently than pure SaaS. Compare Acquire.com and Flippa for services-plus-IP acquisitions.
Optery or DeleteMe for a Custom Software Shop
How principals at custom software and product engineering firms should weigh Optery's automated removal against DeleteMe's human-run service.